Chicago-Style Hot Dog

Favorite times to eat a hot dog; at the ball park, 4th of July, picnic, family barbecue or when I’m in Chicago.  My go-to hot dog is the Chicago-Style Hot Dog, because it’s loaded with goodness. I’m going to give you a recipe to make one at home, but if you want the real thing then you’ve got to go to the Chicago Hot Dog Fest in August. Serves 8 Total Time: 25 minutes

Festival Details - "Chicago Hot Dog Fest"...

Celebrate the City’s Favorite Food at their Picnic in the Park with the Chicago History Museum

Take a bite out of Chicago history at Chicago Hot Dog Fest, presented by the Chicago History Museum. The fest returns to Lincoln Park this August to include a full lineup of bands, hot dog and city history speakers, and the star of the event: Vienna Beef hot dogs prepared in various regional and ethnic styles by the city’s top hot dog vendors.

WHAT 

The Chicago-style hot dog is a quintessential part of Chicago’s storied history, celebrating its premier at the 1893 World’s Fair. Now in its seventh year, the Chicago Hot Dog Fest has become one of the largest festivals in the world to honor the red hot.

More than 30,000 people attend this picnic in the park annually to relish the interesting twists and unique red-hot recipes from more than a dozen vendors. With more than 35,000 hot dogs served each year, there’s something on the menu for everyone.

While fans fill up on mouthwatering encased meats, cold beer and decadent desserts, a tasty lineup of local and touring bands will take the Main Stage to keep the party going as well as craft activities and games for the whole family. Hot dog and city historians will provide historic entertainment on the Speaker Stage, while family-friendly performances entertain kids throughout the weekend.

Held just steps from, and benefiting, the Chicago History Museum, it has all the ingredients of an exceptional summer event.

WHEN 

Friday, August 9, 2019 – 11AM to 9PM

Saturday, August 10, 2019 – 11AM to 9PM

Sunday, August 11, 2019 – 11AM to 8PM

WHERE 

Lincoln Park, 1701 N. Stockton Drive, Chicago, IL

COST 

$5 Suggested Donation

WHY 

Proceeds from the Hot Dog Festival fund educational programming at the Chicago History Museum, bringing the power and perspectives of Chicago history to students from across the city.

Ingredients:

3/4 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, quartered
1/3 cup chopped celery
1/3 cup chopped seedless cucumber
1/3 cup chopped onion (1 small)
1/4 cup sweet pickle relish
2 – 3 teaspoons cornichon or dill pickle juice
1/2 teaspoon celery seeds
1/2 teaspoon poppy seeds
8 Grilled All-Beef Hot Dogs
Yellow mustard
12 cornichons or petite dill pickles, halved lengthwise
 Sport peppers and/or pepperoncini salad peppers
8 hot dog buns

Directions:

In a small bowl stir together tomatoes, celery, cucumber, onion, pickle relish, pickle juice, celery seeds, and poppy seeds. Toast buns from Grilled Hot Dogs. Place grilled frankfurters in toasted buns. Drizzle with mustard. Spoon tomato mixture onto frankfurters. Top with cornichons and sport and/or pepperoncini salad peppers. Yum Yum!